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6/11/2010

100 Word Challenge - Epidemic

What follows is in response to the 100 Word Challenge, usually authored by the infectious(and I mean that in the nicest possible way), Velvet Verbosity, but lately hosted by the medicinal ME. The Word this week is "Epidemic".


1918


In the Spring of 1918, with the 'Great War' for the most part behind them, the people of the world began to prepare for Peace. But an insidious visitor was to come to the world. One for which the world was not prepared.

Influenza.

That Spring, millions were afflicted with a "Three Day Fever", with little incident.
The following Fall, as troops came home from the War, it came back.

An Epidemic.

Some people died within HOURS of the first symptoms - lungs filled with suffocating fluid.

15,000,000 died in WWI.

50,000,000 died of the disease the War brought to the world.



The story above is true. Frightfully true. The next time you're thinking about criticizing the World Health Organization, the Center For Disease Control and other organizations for over-reacting to the H1N1 'epidemic', because it turned out to be so mild, just keep in mind that H1N1 is a subtype of the same strain of virus that killed those 50,000,000 people. Sometimes within hours. The 1918 virus affected ONE FIFTH of the world's population during its run. One fifth.


Ndinombethe.

10 comments:

Nan Sheppard said...

Yikes, so true and very scary...

Grandmother Mary said...

Cracker- jack post! It seems unimaginable now but it really happened. It inspired me to write a true story this topic as well. Will post on Saturday. Thanks.
The word verification is "wayest" and you're the wayest cool post today!

Tara R. said...

That is amazing. I didn't know the flu epidemic at that time was so devastating.

Audubon Ron said...

Good point.

Joyce-Anne said...

It was scary back then. And, you're right we need to be careful and not take the flu lightly. It can be deadly.

PattiKen said...

As one of my sons would say, you speak true. My family lost three members to that one.

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

As soon as the CDC realeased H1N1 vaccine for those of us not in a high-risk group, the husband and I got stuck. Kids, too. I don't mess around with that stuff.

Big Mark 243 said...

When you think about people who shun groups like the CDC and WHO, you have to wonder what is on their minds. Why would they tempt the risks that they do, in ignoring their warnings..?

Though, 'Outbreak' and 'The Stand' makes compelling cases of why they do..!

Holly said...

Within hours?! That's some bug.

Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo said...

Brilliantly written.

Awesome as always.

This one touched me so much Lou, I am stumbling it.

And I hardly EVER stumble.